Other Scientific Names
Megalurus pryeri [Collar and Andrew (1988)], Megalurus pryeri [Collar et al. (1994)], Megalurus pryeri [BirdLife International (2000)], Megalurus pryeri [BirdLife International (2004)], Megalurus pryeri [Sibley and Monroe (1990, 1993)]
Other Names (World)
Marsh Grassbird, Japanese Grassbird, Japanese Marsh Warbler, Japanese Swamp Warbler, Streak-backed Swamp Warbler
Family
Locustellidae (Grasshopper-warblers And Grassbirds)
China (mainland) (B) (NB), Japan (B) (NB), Mongolia (NB), Russia (Asian) (B), South Korea (NB).
Population
Estimated population is 10,000 - 15,000 (2010) and decreasing.
Status NT
Loss and degradation of marshes in its breeding and wintering grounds is the main threat.
For more information see BirdLife International Species Factsheet.
Marsh Grassbird (Helopsaltes pryeri) [XC379382]
by PT xiao from Shanghai, Shanghai Shi, China (song)
Marsh Grassbird (Helopsaltes pryeri) [XC285602]
by Peter Boesman from Tonegawa, Chiba Prefecture, Japan (song)
Subspecies
Inclusion in present genus not entirely satisfactory, as a number of features (bill and foot structures, length of undertail-coverts, wing formula) indicate that this could be a form of Locustella. However, it is unique among Sylviidae in possessing a vestigial wing claw, and creation of an entirely new genus to house this unusual species may be a better solution. In addition, has been suggested that the two subspecies might each be worthy of full species rank. Comparative field study of poorly known subspecies sinensis required before these issues can be resolved.
The following 2 subspecies are recognised:
pryeri Seebohm, 1884 - Central Japan (northern and eastern Honshu). Non-breeding south to Shikoku.
sinensis (Witherby, 1912) - Extreme eastern Mongolia, eastern China (Heilongjiang, Liaoning and Shanghai) and extreme south-eastern Russia (L Khanka, in Primorskiy). Non-breeding south-eastern China (basin of lower R Chiang Jiang in southern Hubei, northern Hunan and northern Jiangxi).
BirdLife International Species Factsheet